TORONTO – An overwhelming number of Canadian performers have voted in favour of ratifying their new Independent Production Agreement (IPA) governing English-language production in Canada.
The Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists (ACTRA) said that 95.5% of its members voted to accept the new agreement that was reached earlier this month. The 2016-2018 IPA includes a 6% rate increase over its three-year term plus a “ground-breaking approach” to productions made for and exhibited on new media platforms – including improved performer compensation terms, that it says guarantees ACTRA members the best contractual minimum fees and use rights for new media production in the world.
ACTRA added that the agreement also provides a number of improvements in working conditions, such as increased work opportunities for background performers, the establishment of minimum rest between day terms for stunt coordinators, and improvements for performers working in animation.
With the current IPA expiring December 31, 2015, the new agreement will take effect January 1, 2016. The IPA covers the engagement of performers in all film, television and new media production in Canada (except for British Columbia, which operates under a separate collective agreement negotiated by ACTRA’s local, UBCP/ACTRA).
“The result of this referendum is a display of the trust ACTRA Members have in their union and bargaining team,” said ACTRA national president Ferne Downey, in the news release. “It was through this dedicated team that we were able to overcome a complex series of issues to negotiate one of the best settlements in North America.”
“As unions around the world face steep demands for rollbacks at the bargaining table, ACTRA resisted these concessions and fashioned an agreement that sets a new international standard for new media production and Use,” added Stephen Waddell, chief negotiator and national executive director.
